1 Timothy 1:17

A doxology of thanks to God for what He had done for him: cp. Romans 16:25. King] This title is applied to God only here and in 1 Timothy 6:15 and Matthew 5:35. Eternal] lit. 'of the ages,' but meaning 'eternal.' The original has 'king of the æons.' Had the doctrine of the Gnostic æons been in existence when the Epistle was written, this expression would not have been used without some contradiction of that theory or explanation of the words. This is an incidental proof of the early date of the Epistle.

18-20. He returns from the digression respecting himself to the subject of the charge previously given to Timothy, to resist heresy (1 Timothy 1:3), and to promote charity, purity, uprightness, and faith (1 Timothy 1:5).